Michigan Projects Highlight 2025 for Raymond Hearn Golf Course Design
Raymond Hearn Golf Course Design has embarked on another busy year of course design with some new restoration/renovation projects ahead in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Indiana and Maine, but a considerable number of projects are in Michigan, his home state.
“We are thrilled to be working on a number of very unique projects throughout the USA, but I am especially proud of my work in my home state of Michigan,” Hearn said. “The multibillion-dollar golf industry in Michigan is so important to our state’s economy. It is such an honor to be in high demand in this great state with such diverse and unique golf courses. We enjoy helping clubs succeed.”
Hearn, ASGCA, a Detroit native and Holland-based award-winning architect, will work on Michigan projects in Holland, Fremont, Harbor Springs, Ypsilanti, Iron River, Whitehall and Plymouth in 2025. Many of these projects involve brand new golf holes.
Hearn, the president and firm founder, is celebrating 29 years of golf course architecture emphasizing award winning master planning, restoration and renovation artistry.
The most publicized work will continue with BOYNE Golf at The Highlands in Harbor Springs where Hearn has been engaged in several projects, including the ongoing master planning/restoration construction of the Donald Ross Memorial Course and at the Heather Course. At Boyne Mountain in Boyne Falls, Hearn continues his work at The Monument Course.
The biggest news for BOYNE Golf this summer is the opening of its new par-3 short course Doon Brae and the Back Yaird, a Saint Andrews Himalayan-style putting course, each designed by Hearn. The new Doon Brae will be the 11th course for BOYNE Golf in what they plan to market as Michigan’s Magnificent 11. Doon Brae and Back Yaird have been constructed behind the Highlands Main Lodge, with the par-3 course on a hillside that is used as a ski hill in winter months.
Some of Hearn’s previous work will be part of the big tournament news in Michigan golf this summer. His firm has been asked to make some course improvements/adjustments in preparation for the LIV Golf team championship that will be played at The Cardinal at Saint John’s Resort in Plymouth, Aug. 22-24, with international golf stars Phil Mickelson, Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, Sergio Garcia, Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka and others competing. Hearn created the award-winning course that recently was added as a host site for the season-ending LIV Golf event featuring its top players.
The Cardinal, (pictured above) which opened in 2024 for public play, recently received a nomination and then special mention in Golf Digest’s Best New Public Course category.
Other Hearn Michigan projects this summer include:
At Three Fires Golf Course in Holland, Hearn continues his work for the local course with a new No. 6 hole being constructed. When completed it will be a dramatic, new, uphill, risk/reward and drivable par 4, albeit demanding from the back tees at 289 yards while also offering four other tee positions. The green is set at a slight angle to the right with a front right intimidating bunker. See the illustration: https://rb.gy/kj9510
At Waters Edge Golf Course in Fremont, Hearn continues his well-received work, this time on a new hole 10. A dramatic new cape lake hole is being constructed where the hole hugs the cape around the lake and is opened up to include new, numerous shot angles. See the illustrations at https://rb.gy/f81q6q
Washtenaw Golf Club in Ypsilanti, the 1899 Bert Way-designed classic, has been the site of several Hearn restoration and renovation projects in recent years, and more are being considered for 2025. With the aid of a valuable 1930 aerial, the restoration of hole 11 plus more “Golden Age of Design” grassing line restoration improvements are next on the docket. See a before and after illustration of the classic par 4 hole 11 at https://r.gy/85x0vn
At Youngs Recreation’s Golf Course in Iron River of the Upper Peninsula, Hearn’s plans for massive new fescue grass areas are being considered for construction this year. Hearn developed the long-range master plan for the course. See the illustration at https://rebrand.ly/nj99zro
White Lake Golf Club in Whitehall (Tom Bendelow gem founded in 1916) is another classic course where Hearn has been making well-received renovations and completing remodeling projects in recent years. On tap this year is the remodeling of hole No. 7, as well as the creation of massive new natural sand bunker waste areas and the creation of new fescue areas. See in the illustration at https://tinyurl.com/mvucfwwb
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